Today is Narasimha Jayanti

[Anand Hudli]

  Today happens to be the day when we celebrate the appearance of Lord
  Narasimha, the  lion-headed incarnation of Vishnu. According to
  the PuraaNas, Narasimha emerged from a pillar when the demon king
  HiraNyakashipu challenged the lad Prahlaada to show him where God is.
  After killing the demon king and his army of demons, the Lord accepted
  the prayers of His devotee Prahlaada and made him the king. The story
  of Prahlaada and the Narasimha avatar is told in detail in the
  Bhaagavata and also the Vishnu PuraaNa, although the two versions are
  not the same. Devotees offer prayers to Narasimha today, especially
  during the evening twilight period.

  According to the Bhaagavata, Narasimha was extremely fierce (ugra), so
  no god could approach Him to pacify Him. Even His consort Lakshmi was
  afraid to approach Him. So Brahmaa asked Prahlaada, the ideal devotee
  to make the Lord's mood peaceful with prayers.

  In two striking verses in the Bhaagavata, Prahlaada says that he is not
  afraid of the fierce form of the Lord. He is not afraid of the Lord's
  lion face, His eyes as bright as the sun, His sharp teeth and claws,
  His roars that strike terror in the hearts of enemies. What Prahlaada is
  afraid of is the havoc that is the fierce samsaaric existence, ugra-
  samsaara-chakra-kadana.

  I am including a few verses from Shankara's Lakshmi-Narasimha stotra,
  a translation of which I posted last year on the usenet newsgroups.


   saMsaaravR^ikshhamaghabiijamanantakarma-
   shaakhaashataM karaNapatramanaN^gapushhpam.h |
   aaruhya duHkhaphalitaM patato dayaalo
   lakshhmInR^isiMha mama dehi karAvalambam.h  || 6 ||

   The tree of worldly existence arises from the seed of sin. Its
   numerous branches are the endless actions (karmas), its leaves are the
   organs of the body, its flower is passion (kaama), its fruit is sorrow.
   Having ascended this tree, I am now falling down.
   O compassionate  Lakshminrsimha, provide me the support of Your hands.

    saMsaaradaavadahanaaturabhiikaroru-
   jvaalaavaliibhiratidagdhatanuuruhasya |
   tvatpaadapadmasarasiisharaNaagatasya
   lakshhmInR^isiMha mama dehi karAvalambam.h  || 8 ||

   In the forest conflagration of worldly existence (illusion), I have been
   burned badly. Even every single hair on my body has been burned by
   large and fearful columns of flames. In this condition I have
   sought the shelter of the cool lake that is Your lotus feet.
   O Lakshminrsimha, provide me the support of Your hands.

   andhasya me hR^itavivekamahaadhanasya
   choraiH prabho balibhirindriyanaamadheyaiH |
   mohaandhakuupakuhare vinipaatitasya
   lakshhmInR^isiMha mama dehi karAvalambam.h  || 11 ||

   O Lord!  My great wealth called power of discrimination (viveka) has
   been  stolen away by the powerful thieves called senses.
   I am blind (without the power of discrimination between things eternal
   and noneternal). In this condition, I have been pushed into the dark
   well called delusion. O Lakshminrsimha, provide me the support of Your
   hands.


   baddhvaa gale yamabhaTaa bahutarjayantaH
   karshhanti yatra bhavapaashashatairyutaM maam.h |
   ekaakinaM paravashaM chakitaM dayaalo
   lakshhmInR^isiMha mama dehi karAvalambam.h  || 12 ||


   I have been bound by hundreds of snares of worldly attachments.
   The soldiers of Yama (Death) have cast their noose around my neck and
   are dragging me along, threatening me. I am alone, frightened, and
   without any independence. O compassionate Lakshmi nrsimha, provide me
   the support of Your hands.

   ekena chakramapareNa kareNa shaMkha-
   manyena sindhutanyaaamavalambya tishhThan.h |
   vaame kareNa varadaabhayapadmachihnaM
   lakshhmInR^isiMha mama dehi karAvalambam.h  || 14 ||

   In one hand You hold the (sudarshana) discus; in another You
   hold the (paanchajanya) conch; another hand rests on (the waist of)
   the daughter of the ocean, Lakshmi; and the (fourth) hand signifies
   that You bestow boons and drive away the fear (of the devotees).
   O Lakshmi nrsimha provide me the support of Your hands.

   saMsaarasaagaranimajjanamuhyamaanaM
   diinaM vilokaya vibho karuNaanidhe maaM |
   prahlaadakhedaparihaaraparaavataara
   lakshhmInR^isiMha mama dehi karAvalambam.h  || 15 ||

   Being drowned in the ocean of samsaaric existence, I am deluded.
   O Lord! O Treasure of compassion! Turn your glance toward me who am
   helpless. (Just as You) assumed the Supreme avatar for the purpose of
   eradicating the sorrow of Prahlaada, do You, Lakshmi nrsimha, provide
   me the support of Your hands.

   prahlaadanaaradaparaasharapuNDariika-
   vyaasaadibhaagavatapu.ngavahR^innivaasa |
   bhaktaanuraktaparipaalanapaarijaata
   lakshhmInR^isiMha mama dehi karAvalambam.h  || 16 ||

   You dwell in the hearts of the best of the Bhaagavatas, such as
   Prahlaada, Naarada, Paraashara, PunDariika, and Vyaasa. You are like the
   desire-fulfilling tree in protecting the loyal devotees.
   O Lakshmi nrsimha, provide me the support of Your hands.


    Anand